Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Here's a question: when choosing a restaurant, do you decide based on the ambience or on the authenticity of the food? One would think that the food would take precedence, but after taking an informal poll of friends, it seems that the atmosphere is just as important as the food in the decision-making process.

In my neighbourhood, there are two restaurants vying for the title of "best Thai place ever!", namely Bangkok 54 and Thai Square. I have had the pleasure of dining at both, and to me the difference is as clear as black and white. Herein lies the issue: with two places being so starkly different, how can anyone possibly figure that one place is better than the other?

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Friends who know me well, know that I have issues with commitment. I have a tendency to be fickle and because of this, I like options. That may be why I have been obsessed with small plates lately. Tapas at Masa 14, mezze at Komi, whatever you call it, these food bite samplers are the answer to my commitment-phobe, pseudo-ADD appetite. They really are the best of both worlds; if I like something, I can always order more plates of it, and if the food is a disaster, at least I didn't waste a whole lot of money on the little sampling.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Caribbean Breeze: Felt like I was back in Rincon, PR after dining on lechon, arroz con gandules, and empanadas.

Extra Virgin: The tiramisu was light, but the cannoli was a little too sweet for my liking.

P. Brennan's: Watched the Flyers come back from a 3-0 deficit to eliminate the Bruins. Guinness never tasted so sweet!

Village Bistro: Lobster ravioli with Old Bay sauce was good. Lamb sausage was over-spiced and over-cooked. That's the problem with outdoor barbecue, it's too difficult to regulate the cooking temperature.

Friday, May 21, 2010

I was flipping through the channels the other day when I came across an old episode of the MTV classic show "Pimp My Ride". I have always loved the show's premise: Taking someone's old clunker of a car, adding some fancy accessories, throwing some fresh paint on it, and voila! Same old car with a fresh, updated look. P. Brennan's of Arlington is banking on a similar idea.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

I'm pretty opinionated, especially when it comes to telling people where to go for food & drinks in the District. Want an awesome Mexican place where you can dine al fresco? No problem (Lauriol Plaza)! Want imaginative plates of Greek / Mediterranean mezze? Sure (Zaytinya)! Want a place to have drinks with a view? Definitely (ADC at Donovan House Hotel)! Want me to pick a place for a date? Umm, I'd rather eat pickles, thanks!

As the designated "foodie" (still dislike that word, by the way!) within my circle, I'm occasionally called upon by friends and family to give my take on all things related to food & drinks. Sometimes, I even give them my two cents without being asked! But when it comes to choosing a dinner/drinks date venue, I break out into a cold sweat. Why is that?

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Bangkok 54: Had an amazing duck roll, wrapped up in a buttery, flaky roti. Tender duck and cucumber inside was divine.

Cafe Citron's top floor: Apparently, if the bartender likes you, your drinks are automatically upgraded to doubles free of charge.

Midtown IV Diner: Post-Flyers game breakfast. Did not touch the scrapple.

P. Brennan's: Guinness and good food while watching Game 7 of the Flyers-Bruins series. Go Broad Street Bullies!

Silver Diner: Fresh and Local menu unveiled to local food writers. Had a gluttinous feast which included salmon burger on pumpernickel bread, gluten-free pasta made out of brown rice. Awe-some. And guess who won the $50 gift certificate?

Friday, May 14, 2010

At long last, Bravo has given us an official air date for Season 7 of Top Chef! Yes, the one that was filmed right in my neck of the woods. So dear readers, I implore you: please do not call me, text me, expect me to show up anywhere that does not have a television, because I intend to plant myself in front of the 42" to do some live-blogging of the inaugural episode.